Lugarno dog attack: Tragedy as Jack Russell Indi dies after her and owner were mauled

A Jack Russell that was mauled by savage dogs despite the heroic efforts of her owner has tragically died in a veterinary hospital. 

Indi was rushed into vet intensive care after she and her owner Elle Booth, 34, were attacked by two Irish wolfhounds at Boggy Well Creek, at Lugarno in south Sydney, at 9am on Sunday. 

Ms Booth stood neck deep in mud for 20 minutes in a desperate effort to save Indi before police arrived and pepper sprayed the wolfhounds.  

Family friend Tess Hutchinson announced on Tuesday morning Indi had passed away overnight while undergoing emergency surgery.  

‘Unfortunately last night Indi passed away due to three heart attacks while being operated on,’ Ms Hutchinson said.

‘She fought until the very end and was such an incredibly brave little pup who will forever be loved by many.’ 

Elle Booth, 34 (pictured) bravely tried to save the life of her pooch, Indi, as the pair were mauled by two dogs 

Ms Booth and Indi were walking along the trail when they were set upon by the two dogs, who were being walked by another man.  

The pair ran into the muddy creek to seek shelter, where they spent around half an hour trying to fight off the vicious dogs until they were rescued by police armed with pepper spray.

Ms Booth was rushed to St George Hospital after suffering injuries to her face, neck, arms, hands and legs, while Indi was rushed to a vet with critical internal injuries. 

Her husband Tom Dale told Daily Mail Australia Ms Booth underwent surgery on her hands and forearm on Monday and is now recovering. 

The couple had recently moved to the area to give their pets bush trails to explore when the tragedy unfolded on Sunday.

Ms Hutchinson said Ms Booth bravely tried to protect Indi after the two aggressive dogs started nipping at her. 

‘Indi, overwhelmed with fear, darted towards the river in a desperate attempt to escape the relentless assault,’ Ms Hutchinson said.

Ms Booth (pictured), 34, was rushed to St George hospital in the city’s south after suffering injuries to her face, neck, arms, hands and legs in the savage attack at Boggy Well Creek off Booyong Avenue, Lugarno, at 9am on Sunday

The seven-year-old Jack Russell is now fighting for life in hospital 

‘The dogs chased, followed by Elle and the man who was walking these dogs. Indi was forced beyond the mangroves and into the mudflats beyond. The larger dogs caught Indi once again, pinning her under the mud for a period.

‘With no hesitation, Elle charged after Indi, into the mangroves, her own safety abandoned in her unwavering determination to save her loyal companion. 

‘In a heroic act, Elle managed to pull Indi from the clutches of the attacking dogs, but not without sustaining severe injuries herself.’

Ms Hutchinson said the man walking the dogs blew a whistle and the dogs paused, with Ms Booth taking the opportunity to move further into the mud as she desperately tried to shield her companion from further harm.

But when she turned back toward the shore and bush track, the man was nowhere to be seen – and she realised she was all alone.  

‘For 20 minutes, Elle stood in neck deep mud holding Indi above, trying to clear Indi’s airway of mud, and continuing to hold the larger dogs off,’ Ms Hutchinson said.

Emergency services then arrived at the scene after a family on the other side of the embankment saw the incident unfolding and called for help. 

The conditions were so treacherous officers who came to Ms Booth and Indi’s aid also got stuck in the mud. 

Mr Dale said his wife was ‘brave as hell’ and he was ‘so proud of her’. 

‘He [the man] was yelling at Elle to get Indigo to stop running away, as it was exciting his dogs. He was trying to stop them, but they were out of control,’ Mr Dale said.

‘He followed Elle down to the mangroves and when he saw his two dogs mauling Indi in the mud further out, he turned and ran away. 

‘Elle went out to save Indi. She initially assumed he gone to call for help, he actually just left.’ 

Tom Dale (pictured) said he is ‘proud as hell’ of his wife’s efforts to save their pet

Ms Booth underwent surgery after suffering horrendous injuries

Ms Booth is pictured with Indi, who the couple welcomed into their family in 2016

Ms Hutchinson said the event had changed the couple’s lives ‘forever’ and has filled them with ‘sorrow, heartache, and unspeakable pain’.

She has launched a GoFundMe which surpassed its $25,000 goal – the cost of Indi’s vet bills – within hours. 

Ms Hutchinson, who said on Monday there was no guarantee Indi would survive the surgery, shared her appreciation for everyone who have rallied to support the couple.

She said despite Ms Booth herself suffering serious injuries, her concern and focus since the attack had been on Indi’s wellbeing. 

‘We want to say a huge thank you to each and everyone of you who have donated, sent kind words and had both Elle and Indi in their thoughts over the last couple of days,’ she said. 

‘Elle has suffered severe physical injuries and will have a long road to recovery, not to mention the emotional damage experienced.’ 

Indi the Jack Russell Terrier was seriously injured in the mauling and remains in a critical condition at a local vet 

Two dogs were seized by police and Georges River council rangers from a nearby home (pictured) Investigations are ongoing

After the attack, the Irish wolfhounds were seized by Georges River Council at a Peakhurst home and are believed to have since been put down.

In a statement on Monday, a spokesperson said Georges River Council acknowledges incidents of this nature are very upsetting for everyone in our community. 

‘We can confirm Council staff worked with police on the day to locate and seize the dogs and will continue to work with police during the investigation.

‘Residents are reminded to exercise responsible pet ownership to ensure the safety of our community and the wellbeing and safety of their pets by always walking their dog on a leash, unless in an authorised off-leash area.’

The council would not confirm whether the dogs had been put down, saying: ‘As this matter is now under investigation, Council is not in a position to make further comment.’

Ms Booth is accompanied to an ambulance after the harrowing ordeal